Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather: Who Had the Better Career?

By Arslan Saleem June 17, 2024 16:57

Photo by AP Photo

Two of the most popular names from the field of boxing are Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. There has been a debate for years amongst fans and experts regarding who had a better career. So who did hold a better career, achieved more and how?

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Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. holds an incredible boxing record of 50-0 placing him among the greatest boxers of all time. Throughout his career, he has long been referred to as someone who carefully chooses opponents and plays strategy games, as well as puts his performance to a major test against an opponent from better at another weight class. Additionally, Mayweather has made waves in the business of boxing and has an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
Some of Mayweather's most impressive victories came against boxing icons like Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and Canelo Alvarez, displaying his tactical brilliance and defensive wizardry. Not to mention, while his conquests over Jose Luis Castillo and Marcos Maidana are of controversial provenance, his overwhelming influence and measured method of his victims speaks volumes.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion and has held the lineal title in five different weight classes. Pacquiao has quality victories over top-level opposition, the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez, testament to his poignant matchups and entertaining fights.
His all-action approach inside the ring, along with his willingness to take on tough challenges after losses, have made the Filipino a true worldwide icon. He has fought back from being knocked out three times (including by the unfancied Oliver McCall in 1994) to win titles, demonstrating his hallmark resilience and focus.

Comparing Their Careers

The way Mayweather fought, and at times avoided his opponents, taking calculated risks to emerge unscathed, solidified his legacy as arguably boxing's all-time greatest in-ring tactician, for better or worse.

Business Acumen and Legacy

The business of boxing is not like the sport and Mayweather's payday unbeaten record, and capacity to sell out pay-per-view occasions are further evidence of it. Pacquiao's longevity, willingness to bounce back, and exciting fighting attributes contributed to his status as an all-time boxing great.

In addition to their contrasting styles, Mayweather's net worth significantly surpasses Manny Pacquiao's net worth due to his savvy business decisions.

The Dream Fight and Legacy

The long-hyped 2015 battle between Mayweather and Pacquiao may have fallen a bit flat, but that fight, too, was one that the entire boxing world was watching, and it stands as the crucial moment in his rivalry with Pacquiao. The apparent Mayweather victory in this bout just spices up the comparison of the respective legacies.

In the end

Mayweather and Pacquiao have both already accomplished enough to choose other side. Pacquiao, meanwhile, can dance, punch, kick, brawl, bite down on his mouthpiece, and come straight ahead. In the meantime, one thing that will always remain certain is that both of these icons of the sport have made an impact and have a place in the hearts of boxing fans worldwide. At the end of the day, there probably will never be an answer to the question.